Pilot-For-A-Day visits 425th FS

  • Published
  • By Austin Thomas
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  When the 425th Fighter Squadron gave Emilith "Chaos" Carroll, 9, the chance to be a pilot-for-a-day, she was ecstatic.

Emilith is diagnosed with cystic hygroma, a lymphatic lesion that can affect any part of the body.

"What Emilith has been through is rough," said her mom, Ana Carroll. "But no matter what, she is always happy."

She visited Luke Air Force Base with her mom Oct. 12. They met with Capt. Jason Mascetta, 425th FS chief of standardization and evaluation, where Emilith donned a flight suit before she toured the squadron. During the tour Emilith tried on a life support helmet and looked through a pair of night vision goggles.

After learning about the equipment, Emilith headed out to the flightline, where a big surprise awaited her. Emilith's expression was full of excitement when she saw an F-16 Fighting Falcon with her name on it. After Captain Mascetta explained to Emilith all of the parts on the jet, they proceeded up the steps so she could sit in the cockpit.

"My favorite part about the F-16 is that it goes really fast," Emilith said.

Emilith and her mom then visited Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander, where Emilith got to sit at General Harris' desk. General Harris presented her with a special coin and then talked with her about interests and a future career as a singer.

After lunch at Club Five Six, Emilith visited the F-16 simulator where she took on the role of a fighter pilot.

"My favorite part of the tour was getting to go on the simulator," she said.

Afterward, the group visited the air traffic control tower and watched as F-16s launched and were recovered.

Captain Mascetta and Emilith took a walk through the airpark and she picked out her favorite planes while he told her about them.

The day came to a close at the 425th FS. Emilith received keepsakes to take home such as coins, awards and a Halloween costume. After eating a snack and playing air hockey with her new friends at the 425th FS, Emilith and her mom headed home.